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California Paycheck Calculator (2026)

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Use this California paycheck calculator to estimate 2026 take-home pay after federal income tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare, California income tax withholding (EDD Method B) and California SDI.

California paycheck calculator

Enter your pay and the answers from your Form W-4 and your California withholding form. Results update as you type and show each deduction separately.

Not included: pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) or health premiums, bonuses and supplemental wages, and Forms W-4 from before 2020.

How California taxes wages

California withholding uses the Employment Development Department’s Method B for 2026. For each paycheck the calculator checks the low income exemption (for example $727 every two weeks for single filers), subtracts any estimated deduction allowances and the standard deduction ($219 every two weeks for single filers), applies the California tax rate table for your pay frequency and filing status, then subtracts the exemption allowance credit ($6.47 per regular allowance every two weeks). Sources: California EDD, DE 44 Rev. 52 (4-26), California Employer’s Guide 2026; California EDD, 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B.

California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is withheld at 1.3% of all wages for 2026, with no wage limit. Sources: California EDD, DE 44 Rev. 52 (4-26), California Employer’s Guide 2026; California EDD, Rates, Withholding Schedules, and Meals and Lodging Values.

Worked examples from the official California tables

California withholding: official example vs this calculator
Official example Pay Official result This calculator
DE 44 Method B Example A $210.00 weekly $0.00 $0.00
DE 44 Method B Example B $1,600.00 biweekly $2.38 $2.38
DE 44 Method B Example C $5,100.00 monthly $0.82 $0.82
DE 44 Method B Example D $950.00 weekly $1.69 $1.69
DE 44 Method B Example E (annual method, then divided by 24) $57,600.00 annual $4.13 $4.13
DE 44 Method B Example F (annual method, then divided by 12) $57,000.00 annual $7.17 $7.17

Federal withholding, Social Security and Medicare

Federal income tax withholding follows IRS Pub 15-T (2026) Worksheet 1A, percentage method for automated payroll systems, Form W-4 from 2020 or later. The calculator annualizes your pay, adds Step 4(a) other income, subtracts Step 4(b) deductions and, when the Step 2 box is not checked, $12,900 (married filing jointly) or $8,600 (other statuses). It applies the 2026 annual percentage method table for your filing status, divides by the number of paychecks, subtracts Step 3 credits per paycheck and adds Step 4(c). Sources: IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods (PDF); IRS Publication 15-T (2026), HTML edition.

Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to the $184,500 wage base for 2026. Medicare is 1.45% of all wages, plus Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% on wages over $200,000 in the calendar year, whatever your filing status. Sources: IRS Publication 15 (2026), (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide; IRS Topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates.

California paycheck questions

How is California withholding calculated?

With EDD Method B: low income exemption check, estimated deduction and standard deduction, the rate table for your pay period, then the exemption allowance credit (DE 44, 2026).

Is SDI included?

Yes. California SDI is 1.3% of wages for 2026 with no wage limit, per the EDD.

Sources and last review

Figures last verified on 2026-10-22 against these official publications (tax year 2026):

This calculator gives an estimate for planning. It is not professional tax or legal advice, and your employer’s payroll may differ (for example pre-tax benefits, bonuses or other deductions). To check your own Form W-4, use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator.

Last reviewed October 22, 2026 for tax year 2026.